Isle of Wight superintendent lobbied for funding via alert system

Some supervisors, school board members call Perera's action a political move

ISLE OF WIGHT – Hundreds of households got an automated phone call from School Superintendent Katrise Perera last Wednesday, warning that the county's proposed funding for schools wasn't sufficient and urging concerned residents to call their representative on the Board of Supervisors.

On Thursday, the Board of Supervisors adopted a $94.4 million operating budget for 2013, which included $26.7 million for schools. The division will receive $1.9 million more county funds in 2012-13 than the current budget, but asked for an increase of $5 million.

Several supervisors criticized Perera's voice message, saying they believe its implied supervisors are to blame if the district must cut jobs, implement furloughs or makes other expense reductions. Although the county provides local funding to the schools, the School Board determines how the district spends that money.

Two supervisors question whether Perera's message was an appropriate use of the division's instant alert messaging system. Typically, the division uses the AlertNow system to send out time-sensitive information, such as unscheduled school closures, early dismissals and bomb threats, to parents and students via text messages, automated calls or email. It's also set up so principals can inform parents about upcoming school activities, Perera said.

"I'm upset by the tactics. No matter what we do, we're going to be made the scapegoats," said Supervisor Dee Dee Darden. "I feel like it was a misuse of the emergency (alert) system … for political gain."

"They used it to political ends and I don't agree with it … but I think they just trying to get all they can for education," said Al Casteen, chairman of the Board of Supervisors.

Supervisor JoAnn Hall said she was most concerned about the use of "inflammatory information" that portrays the supervisors as the "budget bad guys," despite their efforts to provide additional revenue to the schools.

Perera also emailed school principals warning that teachers would lose jobs if the budget was reduced to $58 million. She also noted that county employees recently received a 5 percent pay raise. Perera urged employees to contact their representatives on the Board of Supervisors, and provided a link with contact information.

For years, the School Board and Board of Supervisors have had a strained relationship. With new members making up the majority of both boards, and a new district superintendent, both boards have said they consider it an opportunity for a fresh start.

Perera defended her use of the instant alert system, saying it was the quickest way to inform parents of the school division's fiscal needs.

"I don't play politics …and my intent was not to put pressure on the supervisors," Perera said.

Wendell Roberts, attorney for the Virginia School Board Association, said other school divisions use parental notification systems to alert residents of meetings. In Chesterfield County, where he lives, meeting alerts are informational, not a call-to-arms to garner support, he said.

Although automated calls and texts are effective tools for communicating with groups, Roberts warned that overuse could lead to parents ignoring messages. That could result in parents missing critical a alert, such as early closures or notification of school emergencies, he said.

Julie Grimes, spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Education, said the state doesn't have any policies that dictate how automated notification systems are used. Those decisions are made at the local level, she said.

The supervisors' response has two School Board members taking a second look at the action.

"It' unfortunate that is was perceived by supervisors as undue pressure to increase funding," School Board member Julia Perkins said. "In retrospect, I think there may have been a better venue to reach out to the community."

School Board member Herb DeGroft said he supports Perera's use of the alert system.

"I believe in over-informing …although you have to be careful how you couch what your are communicating so you don't come across like you're ganging up on people," he said. "But I don't think it would have been ethical and in the best interest of good relations for us to tell people to ask for full funding.

"We want the supervisors to give realistic consideration to the school budget … and the county hasn't won the lottery."

Perera's call:

"I'm calling because I feel it is imperative to advise you that the school division has received preliminary budget information from the county. The budget proposal that will be voted on by the Board of Supervisors tomorrow evening will reduce Isle of Wight's proposed budget by $3.4 million. This level funding will only cover the state-required increases in retirement benefits for employees and the division will be forced to implement most, if not all, of the budget reduction recommendations I presented to the School Board in April. Despite our best efforts to avoid impact to students and classrooms, these types of cuts will impact the high quality of instruction you expect in our schools. I encourage anyone with thoughts and concerns about the school budget to contact your Board of Supervisors representative before their meeting tomorrow."